Premier League 2011-2012

[dtaai-maai]

That "Negro means black in Spanish" argument was a handy pseudo-legal foothold to latch on to, but is as irrelevant as "my grandpa was black" and "I've campaigned against racism", whoever those apply to.
Suarez knew exactly what he was saying and he said it (allegedly ) 12 times.
Whether or not the FA was right to pursue the matter, I can't for the life of me imagine why a group of barristers would pluck a 'guilty' verdict from nowhere. For me, the 8 match ban is really the issue and how it compares with what Terry gets (eventually), and more particularly, how it affects the club.

As far as I'm aware, nobody gives a monkey's that Terry called Ferdinand a c**t, it was calling him a black c**t that was so offensive.

Please understand that I'm not standing up for either of them, and I'm certainly no great fan of Terry, who'd probably be in prison if he wasn't a half decent footballer, but I am a keen fan of consistency.

[dtaai-maai]

And another thing...

Walcott could have had another penalty minutes later, but stayed on his feet when he was clearly fouled by Stephen Warnock,

... this is nothing to do with Arsenal (on the contrary in this case), but where in the rules does it say that a player has to "go down" before there can be a foul?
I hear variations on this theme all the time and it infuriates me "there was definitely contact", "he could have gone down" etc., in my not-so-very-humble opinion you should be doing your utmost to stay on your feet and win the ball and relying on the referee to right any wrongs.
Unfortunately the entire game, players and refs included, seems to have come to accept that falling over unnecessarily is no longer cheating if there has been some contact, however minor, but diving is worthy of a booking.

[BaaBaa.]

It's less racist than farang is in Thailand.

Uniteds own player, Hernandes is on record as saying his favourite goal of the month was by "the negrita"

One of Uruguays most famous players from the past is reffered to as negro.

[BaaBaa.]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editor ... racism-ban

by somebody who knows what he's talking about, not the sensationalist tripe in the English press.

[dtaai-maai]

It's less racist than farang is in Thailand.

I'm not sure how you judge whether it's more or less racist, but in a way you're actually making my point for me - it's neither. The need to make the distinction is what constitutes the intrinsically racist element in all this, if racist it is. Whether it's negro in Spanish, black in English or farang in Thai, it's the use of the qualifier that makes it (possibly) derogatory.

If Hernandes said his favourite goal was scored by "the little black fella", that says more about the unconscious racism of South Americans than it does about the harmless nature of the remark.

Personally, I couldn't care less. I'm not offended by being referred to as a farang or as a white man. Unless, of course, someone means to offend me by using the term - surely that's what this should all be about?
But as far as football is concerned, not to mention the intervention of the courts, I really think they've bitten off more than they can chew.

[dtaai-maai]

An interesting article. This basically sums up how I feel.

The FA cannot treat one culture with more sensitivity than another.

And this, of course, applies equally to Suarez and Terry

Nevertheless, Suarez has been made to look ignorant and clumsy, too. And whatever his intentions were at Anfield on that day in mid-October, he really should have known better in the first place.

[BaaBaa.]

It's not unconscious racism is it. It's just not racism.

[caller]

The maxium punishment Terry can face, if found guilty, is a fine of 2.5k. Its a summary offence under CDA meaning it can only be heard in the Magistrates Court. Three wise monkeys in other words, although as the case will be heard at West London Court (by Hammersmith Broadway, near the Bridge), he could face a District Judge (used to be called 'stipes'), who are trained lawyers.

Kind of puts Suraezs punishment into perspective, doesn't it?

If JT is found guilty, I was thinking the FA could hit him again, as per Suarez, but I doubt they can? The law of the land is above a civil 'private court' so to speak and I think they will have trouble making it stick if he's been punished once. And I guess he'll be out of the England job?

Both Suarez and Terry can claim all sorts of antecedents, black friends (many in JT's case), campaigning against this, that and the other and the like (racism in JT's case) - thats mitigation after the verdict - all that counts is what they said when they said whatever they did. Nothing else.

And BaaBaa, the FA don't have to worry about culteral differences in Uruguay or whatever happens elsewhere, Suarez is playing in the UK and what counts is whats acceptable there, not anywhere else. On saying that, I think the punishment is a farce.

And your comments about Terry are prattish.

[caller]

Not impressed with AVD's selection tonight. No Lamps and Mikel in for Romeu. Think our midfield will struggle.

See Bale is fit - 'Arry playing games again?

A few old team mates playing against each other tonight - not least Ledley King and John Terry, who played together at the incredible Senrab FC!

[JimmyGreaves]

Not impressed with AVD's selection tonight. No Lamps and Mikel in for Romeu. Think our midfield will struggle.

See Bale is fit - 'Arry playing games again?

Yes let's hope we get right up ya!

Wish I could login to IKTS to put my win on

[caller]

Wish I could login to IKTS to put my win on

I've done it for you - I'm not confident.

JT will score, get sent-off, or both!

[caller]

Goodness - if he'd said that on the pitch he'd probably be banned for life!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16301357.stm

The big game is big! AVB falling out with Alex has meant no centre back to replace Ivanovic!

[JimmyGreaves]

Draw about the right result. Spurs not on top of their game, however that may have been due to Chelsea keeping the ball well.

Not sure about the chelsea build up to their goal, surely the hand gave cole advantage!

[dtaai-maai]

1-1

I'm not sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. Bit of both, probably.
Spurs played like champions for the first 20 minutes, then Chelsea equalised from nowhere and we couldn't get our game back together.
Coming up to the 90 minutes I was getting to the "come on, ref, blow the whistle and we'll take the draw" stage, then we had 2 great chances in stoppage time.

Pavalyuchenko showed that he's just not sharp enough for a regular spot up front. Sandro had his best game for a while.

Overall, a disappointing evening.

[PeteC]

Admittedly I haven't researched how Dalglish is using Carroll, or how often he's using him, but last season the boy was a goal scoring machine for Newcastle. The clubs he's playing against this season are the same, but he certainly is not performing as he did with Newcastle. What's the problem? Pete